Mangú (Dominican Mashed Green Plantains)
In short: Boiled green plantains mashed with butter and a little cooking water into a soft puree, topped with vinegary sautéed red onions. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Mangú is the Dominican breakfast found in homes and cafeterias across the country: green plantains boiled until soft and mashed with butter and some of the cooking water into a smooth, pale puree. It is topped with red onions cooked briefly in vinegar and oil, whose sharpness cuts the starch. The full plate, called los tres golpes (the three hits), adds fried cheese, fried salami and fried eggs. Mangú also turns up at dinner with sautéed salami.
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the plantains and slit the peel along each ridge. Pry the peel off with your thumb and the tip of a knife, then cut the plantains into chunks.
- Put the plantains in a pot with enough water to cover by 2 cm (3/4 inch) and add 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until a fork slides in with no resistance.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes until they just begin to soften. Add the vinegar, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes more, keeping the onions slightly crisp.
- Drain the plantains, keeping 250 ml (1 cup) of the cooking water. Return the plantains to the pot.
- Add the butter and mash with a potato masher or fork, adding the reserved water a few spoonfuls at a time, until the texture is smooth and soft like thick mashed potatoes. Season with 1/2 tsp salt.
- Serve hot, topped with the pickled onions.
Tips
- For a dairy-free version, mash the plantains with 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of butter. Adding the hot cooking water gradually gives the silkiest texture.
- For a more filling plate, serve with slices of fried cheese. A firm cheese for frying, such as halloumi, works well.
Questions and answers
What are los tres golpes?
Los tres golpes, or the three hits, is the classic breakfast plate of mangú with fried cheese, fried salami and fried eggs, usually with the onions piled on the mangú.
Can I make mangú with ripe plantains?
No. Mangú uses green plantains, which give a starchy, savory puree. Ripe plantains would make a sweet mash.
How do I keep mangú from getting hard?
Serve it right away, while hot, because it firms up as it cools. Reheat leftovers with a splash of hot water and mash again.
How long does it take to make Mangú (Dominican Mashed Green Plantains)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mangú (Dominican Mashed Green Plantains)?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 54 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
